Washington Nationals: Dan Haren listed on HOF ballot for the first time

With the list of names being released for the 2021 Hall of Fame ballot, a former National appears. Here’s hoping Dan Haren scratches out a vote or two.

The list of Hall of Fame eligible players for the 2021 ballot was released and of the first timers there was one former Washington Nationals player. Dan Haren makes an appearance for the first time and faces an uphill battle on making a second appearance.

Haren pitched for eight teams over the course of his thirteen year career with a lone season coming in Washington.

Making a case for Haren to get into the Hall of Fame is nearly impossible. Making a case for him to get his name checked on at least five percent of votes, so he can appear on the next years ballot is going to be hard enough.

During his time in the big leagues Haren won 153 games and pitched to the tune of a 3.75 earned run average. Decent numbers for a middle of the rotation to front end starter. Never did he lead the league in wins or strikeouts. Never did he win a Cy Young Award, though he did receive votes in two different years. Haren was a three time All-Star who made thirty starts in a year ten times. He was a reliable starter for the better part of his career, just not a Hall of Famer.

Following their first division title in 2012 the Nationals signed Haren to a 1 YR/$13M contract to replace Edwin Jackson, who departed via free agency.

Haren struggled in the 30 starts he made for the Nationals, posting a losing record with an ERA of 4.67.  He averaged less than six innings a start and gave up a lot of home runs. As the Nationals finished second in the division, Haren was not the guy they hoped he would be when they opened up the checkbook for him.

To his credit, Dan did have a good sense of humor about the debacle.

While in Washington Haren did leave us with a few good memories. He pitched eight innings of one run ball early in the year against Atlanta, and also came in during the 15th inning of a game to record his only career save, later in the year, also against Atlanta.

His body of work as a whole is not Hall of Fame caliber, here’s hoping he makes it to the second year of voting, which is very unlikely in itself.